Prøveplade: Brudstykker af "de gode jomfruer" 1901

Frans Schwartz made this tiny trial plate, Brudstykker af "de gode jomfruer", sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. Imagine the artist bent over the plate, etching tiny marks, building up tone. There is a lot of darkness and shade, but some light too – and areas that are just pure scribbles. I wonder if he was thinking about some of the German expressionists with all of those dark, etched lines? That face, upturned to the light, is so affecting! The figure's expression is almost beatific as if she’s glimpsing another world. I guess that’s what all artists are doing really. We’re all just trying to catch a glimpse of something beyond.